Ten spring cleaning jobs for the garden

Green-fingered Brits have been urged to get ahead of spring cleaning and spruce up their outdoor space ahead of the warmer weather this weekend.

Outdoor experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have shared their ten-step spring cleaning guide.

The advice comes as Brits are encouraged to make the most of their outdoor space this year by following easy hacks to get gardens in tip-top condition.

Tips include tackling weeds, reviving the lawn, pruning plants and edging garden beds to maximise the potential of outdoor spaces.

A spokesperson for Garden Buildings Direct said: “Many of us will be taking the time to declutter homes and spend time doing a deep clean ready for spring, but it’s important not to neglect your outside space too.

“After such a cold and wet winter your garden is likely in dire need of care and attention as the weather starts to warm up – and it doesn’t need to be a long and hard process either.

“Prune bushes and plants, brush up leaves that have fallen, clean hard-scape surfaces and edge the garden beds to create an outdoor sanctuary ahead of springtime.”

Here are the 10 essential spring clean garden jobs:

1. Prune branches and plants

Encourage plants to flourish by pruning them – remove the deadheads and cut back any damaged branches.

2. Sow new plants

Spring is a great season to start planting again. Summer-flowering bulbs like Gladioli and Lilies are great choices to dazzle the garden with colour in just a few months’ time.

3. Prepare garden accessories

Give garden ornaments, outdoor furniture, tools and plant pots a good wash down after the harsh winter months. This way, they’ll be ready as you start to use them more.

4. Tackle the weeds

Removing weeds is necessary to prevent them from growing out of control during the warmer months. Use a hand fork to properly dig the roots out as the soil will still be fairly moist this time of year.

5. Create compost

A compost pile is a practical addition to any garden and gives you an easy way to use all your garden waste. Use a pile, pit or bin to make your own and gently sprinkle water over it to keep things moist.

6. Clean hardscape surfaces

Paving stones can collect moss and become muddy over winter months – so use a pressure hose to wash surfaces down and sweep excess dirt away.

7. Revive the lawn

Over winter the grass can grow brown and patchy – so gardeners should sow seeds into the ground in the places the lawn is suffering to keep the space healthy and fresh.

8. Edge garden beds

Grass can easily creep out into beds during winter months, and springtime is an optimal time to pull it up whilst the soil is damp.

9. Brush up leaves

Leaves can build up in flower beds so brush back thick layers that might be on top of plants to let them grow properly.

10. Review your garden

If making additions is a priority, like adding new accessories or garden beds, then reviewing the space and making a plan is crucial to making sure no money is wasted. If you need to make alterations, it is better to start them as early as possible.